Tensions in New Zealand are getting worse. We are more divided, more them and us than ever before. Whether that is race relations, the divide between rich and poor, city vs urban, landlord vs renter, consumers vs business or whether you live in or out of New Zealand, we are pulling in different directions instead of pulling together. This should deeply worry the Labour Government. This should not be their legacy, and yet it seems they are at best willing to ignore, but at worst actually flaming the divide with their policies and ideology.
They have handled the Three Waters debate so badly, not fronting and explaining, that it has divided people. Co-governance has been poorly communicated and once you do get some detail it is clear that Labour has not thought it through or understood the unintended consequences. They blame supermarkets and petrol retailers for the rising cost of living unjustifiably. They have a barely disguised disdain for our farmers and want people to believe that landlords are evil and only out to rip off their tenants. Pitting employees against employers with fair pay agreements that will centralise bargaining brings unnecessary tension to the workforce. Shutting New Zealanders out of their country was badly handled and a Budget that gives a few measly dollars to those it thinks it has to be seen to do something for and not for those right at the bottom who are struggling the most causes resentment.
It has become more and more obvious that this Government is not governing for all New Zealanders – this united team of five million is actually a disaffected and dissatisfied group with tensions the worst I have seen for decades. Let's use this Matariki to find the good.
Paula Bennett is a former Deputy Prime Minister and National Party politician who now works at Bayleys Real Estate as national director — customer engagement.
